Sightseeing in Ladakh

Sightseeing in Ladakh is all about visiting various Buddhist monasteries which are the most distinguishing feature of Ladakh.

The Hemis monastery is the wealthiest, largest and one of the most popular monasteries in Ladakh. It was founded in 1630 and boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics. The monastery hosts the annual Hemis festival which is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. The Thangka (a sacred appliqué-work tapestry wrought with pearls, which depicts Guru Padmasambhava) is put on display during this festival. The thangka can only be seen once in every twelve years.

Shey Gompa is another interesting place to visit in Ladakh. It was founded in the 17th century built on the instructions of King Deldon Namgyal, in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal. Its most distinguishing feature is the huge metal image of the seated Buddha believed to be the largest metal statue in the Ladakh region. The lower story of the monastery houses a large library adorned with images of Buddha. An annual festival is held at the Shey Gompa on the 30th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.

Other popular monasteries in the region are Alchi Gompa, Likir Gompa, Sani, and Karcha Monastery.

The Leh Palace was built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal. It is a nine story palace that was abandoned when the Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in mid 19th century. The Leh Palace now stands in ruins but still counts amongst the most popular places to see in Ladakh.